Fortnite’s new Solo Showdown game mode offers big prizes

Get your V-Bucks back for unwanted Fortnite purchases. Photo: Epic Games

Fortnite Battle Royale is getting a new limited-time game mode that awards big prizes.

Solo Showdown places players against self-selected competitors in “the ultimate test of survival.” The best performers are rewarded with free V-Bucks, and a whopping 50,000 are up for grabs if you can secure first place. You’ll also get a unique spray just for taking part.

Solo Showdown is, in many ways, different to other limited-time game modes. Not only does it offer rewards, but it’s the first that doesn’t change the core Battle Royale experience. You play solo matches with exactly the same rules, weapons, and equipment.

Solo Showdown offers big prizes

What’s different is that instead of being paired with random competitors, all of the opponents you come up against will be fighting for the same prize. That means you’re more likely to run into more experienced and more skillful opponents.

You’ll need to play 50 matches to complete the event, and your placement in each one will be tracked to determine your rewards at the end. Standings will be posted to the Epic blog “regularly,” so you’ll be able to keep track of your progress and the competition there.

Solo Showdown is ideal for those who feel like the standard Battle Royale modes don’t offer enough of a challenge. It lets you really put your skills to the test with prizes on the line. Here’s what you’ll win if you’re one of the top performers:

1st place: 50,000 V-Bucks

2nd-4th place: 25,000 V-Bucks

5th-50th place: 13,500 V-Bucks

51st-100th place: 7,500 V-Bucks

That’s a whole lot of in-game cash if you do well. It would cost you almost $400 to purchase 50,000 V-Bucks yourself, or nearly $200 to purchase 25,000. And even if you don’t win, you’ll get an exclusive spray just for taking part (so long as you complete 50 matches).

Solo Showdown is bigger than it sounds

But the prizes aren’t the most exciting thing about Solo Showdown. Epic says this game mode is “a one-off stepping stone to learn how to build great events for all types of players,” which means other events just like this could become a regular occurance.

The event could help shape Fortnite competitive play, which is coming soon. Epic is teasing a big competitive announcement for next week.

Solo Showdown rules

Before you jump into your first Solo Showdown match, there are some rules you need to be aware of. You’ll need to be 16 or over to take part, and you’ll need to play all 50 matches to be eligible for a prize. The event starts today and ends on May 21 at 10 a.m. ET.

You must use an Epic account registered on or before May 15 to be eligible for the event. You can play your matches on console, PC, and iOS.